AIR WARFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1941, Page 5

AIR WARFARE

MANY BRITISH SUCCESSES EARLY MORNING ATTACKS ON ENEMY. RAIDERS CAUGHT RETURNING HOME. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, April 9. British fighters shot down six German bombers last night, during raids on Britain which included a fierce attack on Coventry. An official communique states: “The main attack by enemy aircraft last night was directed against the Midlands. In this area a raid lasting for several hours was made on Coventry. Considerable damage was done. Full information as to casualties is not yet available, but it is feared that they may be heavy. “Bombs were also dropped in a number of districts, especially in the southeast, and on or near the south coast. Many did no damage, but in two towns on the south coast small numbers of persons were killed and some damage was done.

“Apart fi'om the six enemy bombers destroyed by night fighters (and another by anti-aircraft fire) others were damaged and in trouble when they made for home. "In addition, other R.A..F. aircraft visited enemy aerodromes early this morning and dropped bombs, while enemy aircraft were returning from raids, shooting up and dowsing landing lights and damaging ground material and transport. One Hurricane pilot shot up two Heinkcl Ill’s while on a single patrol which lasted for little more than an hour. His first success, causing a large explosion in the enemy aircraft as his bullets struck the fuselage, was seen by his flight commander. who was about to attack another Heinkel 11 J. The commander also destroyed his victim. A flight commander flying a Defiant and the pilot of another Defiant got a fourth victim. A squadron leader in a Spitfire, who also scored a success got so close to his target that he was momentarily blinded by (he effect of his bullets hitting the enemy aircraft. A second attack resulted in great burning pieces falling away from the enemy aircraft as it dived through a cloud. “Two enemy bombers were shot down this morning into the sea off the Welsh coast by British fighters."